How do I get Optician Training?

I didn't think you had to have any extra schooling to know how to fit someone with a pair of glasses.

It probably depends on where you shop for glasses, but I think there are many places where those that help you with your glasses and adjustments have had on-the-job training.

Training to become an optician does include this skill, but I thought most of their training was how to cut and fit the lenses to the frames for the glasses that were chosen.

I worked at a store that sold glasses and contacts while I was going to college. I didn't have any optician training, but I was trained to help people learn how to wear their contact lenses.

This was a very interesting job, and while it did require some training and a lot of patience, it was very rewarding.

Our store was connected with an optometrists office. We had one optician on staff and it was his responsibility to prepare the orders for the glasses.

There was a lab on site, and if it was a single vision prescription, he could have lenses ready in about an hour for some customers.

If you want dispensing optician training, I would recommend just going for a two year degree instead of going to a vocational school. I've noticed in the last few years a lot of employers are putting a huge emphasis on degrees. So even if you can get a job now with just some vocational training, it might not always be that way.

Plus, if you go to a community college for a two year degree, your credits will transfer if you decide to continue your education in a few years. Most vocational school credits won't transfer to a university.

@JessicaLynn - It's nice to have someone there to help you pick out the right frames. I'm glad opticians get this kind of training.

I've actually seen a few advertisements lately for online optician training, and I just don't see how that would work. So much of the opticians job is hands on, I don't see how you could do all of your training for that job online.

I could imagine some kind of hybrid might work though: lab classes in person, lecture classes online. But I think I would be wary of any optician training program that was exclusively online.

I wore glasses when I was in elementary school and middle school, so I always associate them with my awkward face. I had huge, unflattering glasses to top it off too! When I got to high school I decided to get contact lenses and never looked back.

However, about a year ago I decided to try glasses again. I'm in my late 20's now, and well out of my awkward phase. I was really nervous about picking a flattering pair though, and the optician helped me so, so much! I love the frames he helped me pick out.

So I can definitely see why helping people pick frames is part of licensed optician training.

@robbie21 - I think *any* job that involves working directly with people requires a lot of patience! But you're right, anything where "picking out" is involved will require even more than other jobs.

Personally, I think training to be an optician would be a good idea for the kind of person who enjoyed working in a retail environment, like a department store, but it ready for "more": better pay, better benefits, and more responsibility. There's also the technical aspect of grinding the lenses, of course.

There's probably a different work environment, too, depending on whether the optician works for an independent doctor of optometry or at a mass merchandiser like Lens Crafters.

An optician career can be a nice job if you want the stability and benefits of working in a healthcare setting but do not want to do any of the "grosser" medical careers, like phlebotomy.

I think you must have to have the patience of a saint, though, to help people pick out glasses! I know when I go in, it usually takes me about an hour to pick out my frames and then what lens options I want. I really rely on the advice of the optician to help me pick something that works for my face.

And my husband takes even longer. He might spend two hours picking out frames and half an hour having them adjusted, then come back to have them adjusted again, then decide he hates the frames and needs them replaced... Again, patience of a saint!